GORAŽDE, AUGUST 2 (ONASA) – With the raising of the festival flag, the festival anthem and spectacular fireworks, the 27th International Festival of Friendship of Goražde 2024 was opened. Greetings on behalf of the youth of Goražde were sent by students of the generation of Goražde schools, after which they raised the Festival flag on the flagpole near the central stage of the Festival.
The Mayor of Goražda, Ernest Imamović, welcomed all citizens and guests to the Festival and to the city of friendship, and officially declared the Festival open.
After the official opening of the Festival, the music group Prava stvar/Tribute to Čola performed, and then, after five years, Džejla Ramović stood in front of the audience from Gorazde. The surprise of the evening was Džeja’s colleague Miloš Stojković Henny. Džeja and Henny previously recorded two duets, which the Gorazde audience sang together with the stars of the first festival night.
For Džeja, the concert in Goražde was very emotional and full of excitement, and she adds that she was very nervous. She says that she is proud of her city and the diverse program that the organizers have prepared for citizens and visitors.
“As a child from Drina and someone who started coming to the festival as a child, I have to thank the organizers for the invitation, I am happy for this performance in my city. I think the festival is living up to its successes, I can say that this year is special and wide program and that I am proud of my city and what they provide to the citizens these days. We are a city rich in many talents, not only in terms of music. I am proud of the whole team and the whole organization,” said Džeila.
A few hours before the spectacular opening of the Friendship Festival, Džejla Ramović found time to socialize with journalists and fellow citizens. In the relaxed atmosphere of the Carpe diem coffee bar, Džejla told how she balances her dynamic life on tour with her private obligations and her desire to be as much as possible with her family and in her city.
“Every night in a different city, but when it becomes your job it’s not even difficult, it requires a lot of time and sacrifice, it fulfills me. I live for music, everyone knows that’s my path. My job allows me to expand in some other possibilities, I’m happy because I’m doing everything I love,” said Džela.
To the question “How long have you been in school?”, which is often asked by her family, she says that she is currently finishing her last semester at university and is choosing a topic for her graduation thesis. Her current everyday life is mostly dedicated to performances, but she hasn’t forgotten her city where she started her musical career.
“Well, I try when I have a few days to come here where my parents and family and friends are, I don’t have much time, but when I come I say that this is my vacation and I enjoy it here,” she said.
She also said that the audience could expect her first album only in the next year.
“I already arranged that once, it was supposed to be by the end of this year, but it won’t be. I hope for it during the next year, there are a lot of songs that are being prepared and that I’m working on, but the album requires a lot of time and effort, I can’t physically make it to the studio and to finish it all. I’m not in a hurry with the songs I throw out, there are enough of them”, she answered some of the questions that interested the audience.
The day of the official opening began with the opening of the Summer Book Fair on the plateau in front of the Culture Center and the opening of the exhibition of works created at the International Art Colony of Colors of Friendship Goražde 2023.
The Kakanj Mining Band, Kiseljak Municipality Association of Majorettes “Kiseljačke Majoretkinje”, Nadja Mašić and Nedim Karahmetović – winners of the children’s festival “What do you dream of with a song” in Goražde 2023, students of Elementary School “Husein ef. Dozo” participated in the program of the opening ceremony. with the performance “If they ask you, slow down near schools”.
There are numerous cultural and musical events organized by the Center for Culture, under the auspices of the city of Goražde and the Ministry of Education, Youth, Science, Culture and Sport BPK, planned for the period from August 1 to 7, and the contents are intended for all ages.
Džejla Ramović, Laka i Lela, Zone of Exclusion, Divlje Jagode, Al Dino, Galija, Haris Džinović, Željko Samardžić, Marchelo, Konvoj, Sassja are just some of the names performing at this year’s Friendship Festival.
Hundreds of Goraždans enjoyed the Gubavica Session, an all-day DJ party and the Goražde Music Marathon, where Laka and Lela and local musicians and bands performed. Part of the pre-festival program was the International Friendship Race, which this year brought together more than 500 participants of different ages, and 350 competitors from BiH and fourteen countries of the region and the world took part in the main race.
T he photo workshops “Photography through the Festival of Friendship” led by Haris Adžem have already started, as well as the Fair of Old Craftsmen of the City of Goražde. The Development Kayak Camp is also underway, and we are also expecting the BiH Slalom Championship and the International Friendship Race – downhill organized by the Buk Kayaking Club.
Promotions of books, films, plays await us, and there are also indispensable and varied contents for children. Children will show their joy and smiles at a masquerade ball through the streets of the city, accompanied by the good rhythms of the Sarajevo Drum Orchestra during the closing ceremony of the Festival. (end)